A Level Computer Science 9618, topic 17.1
Encryption, Encryption Protocols and Digital Certificates: past paper questions
15 Cambridge A Level Computer Science 9618 questions on Encryption, Encryption Protocols and Digital Certificates (17.1) from 15 papers, 2023 to 2026. Open the paper or try a question free.
Practising builds a set from this topic, free with an account. One question opens straight away, with no account.
- Questions
- 15
- Papers
- 15
- Years
- 2023 to 2026
- Total marks
- 76
- Average per question
- 5.1 marks
- Largest question
- 7 marks
By type: Structured 15
How hard the questions are
- Recall1
- Apply7
- Analyse7
- Not banded0
Derived from the command word Cambridge prints in each question, banded by a fixed table beside the syllabus's own definitions. A question printing no command word is unbanded: unknown, not middling.
Command words
- describeApply7 questions
state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features
- explainAnalyse7 questions
set out purposes or reasons / make the relationships between things clear / say why and/or how and support with relevant evidence
- identifyRecall5 questions
name/select/recognise
- outlineApply4 questions
set out the main points
- defineRecall1 question
give precise meaning
- stateRecall1 question
express in clear terms
- useApply1 question
Where the questions come from
By year
- 20263
- 20256
- 20243
- 20233
By session
- May/June12
- Oct/Nov3
By paper
- Paper 315
Questions on this topic
Showing 13 of 15, spread across the years. Open one to write your answer and have it marked.
- Try this questionQuestion 8May/June 2026, paper 31Structured6 marks
Define the following asymmetric key encryption terms: cipher text
- Try this questionQuestion 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 31Structured5 marks
Identify two items commonly found within a digital certificate.
- Try this questionQuestion 7May/June 2024, paper 31Structured5 marks
Describe what is meant by a digital certificate.
- Try this questionQuestion 9May/June 2023, paper 31Structured6 marks
Encryption is used to alter data into a form that makes it meaningless if intercepted. Describe the purpose of asymmetric key cryptography.
- Try this questionQuestion 8May/June 2026, paper 32Structured7 marks
Describe the differences between symmetric key and asymmetric key cryptography.
- Try this questionQuestion 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 32Structured5 marks
Asymmetric encryption is a type of cryptography. Identify one other type of cryptography.
- Try this questionQuestion 4May/June 2024, paper 32Structured4 marks
Sheila has a customer called Fred. Fred wants to send Sheila a confidential document as part of a transaction. Explain how Fred uses asymmetric encryption to send his document securely.
- Try this questionQuestion 5May/June 2023, paper 32Structured5 marks
Encryption is used to scramble data to make it meaningless if intercepted. Describe the purpose of quantum cryptography.
- Try this questionQuestion 8May/June 2026, paper 33Structured6 marks
Describe the purpose of quantum cryptography.
- Try this questionQuestion 9Oct/Nov 2025, paper 33Structured4 marks
A company requires a digital certificate to ensure the authenticity of its online communications. Outline the process followed to acquire a digital certificate. A company requires a digital certificate to ensure the authenticity of its online communications.
- Try this questionQuestion 9May/June 2025, paper 31Structured4 marks
Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are two protocols. State two functions of SSL/TLS.
- Try this questionQuestion 10May/June 2025, paper 32Structured4 marks
Identify the two main protocols that form Transport Layer Security (TLS) and state the purpose of each.
- Try this questionQuestion 7May/June 2025, paper 33Structured4 marks
Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are two protocols. Explain how SSL/TLS is used when client-server communication is initiated.